Japanese Blame Fabric Softeners For "Scent Pollution"

Consumer hotlines across Japan have been receiving complaints about fabric softeners and other scented products, with people stating that these products give them headaches and make them nauseous, as reported by Mainichi Shimbun.

Last year, the Consumer Affairs Agency received approximately 200 complaints related to the scent of fabric softeners, with people claiming that they became ill due to the fragrance.

These complaints are attributed to "scent pollution," and while some individuals have been medically diagnosed with "chemical sensitivity," how these scents affect one's health remains mostly unexplained.

The Mainichi Shimbun conducted an investigation into this issue.

Last year, the Consumer Affairs Agency received approximately 200 complaints related to the scent of fabric softeners, with people claiming that they became ill due to the fragrance.

Kumiko Taira, a part-time lecturer at the Department of Anesthesiology at Tokyo Women's Medical University Adachi Medical Center, treats around 50 patients diagnosed with chemical sensitivity after experiencing reactions to scents like those from fabric softeners.

According to her, symptoms are usually triggered by inhaling softeners, air fresheners, bleach, insect repellents, aroma products, and pesticides. She advises her patients to avoid these items and notes that continuing treatment has led to symptom improvement in some cases.

Taira is a member of a health ministry research group that studies "central sensitivity syndromes (CSSs)," an umbrella term referring to pain and other symptoms stemming from an overly sensitive central nervous system after repeated exposure to unpleasant external stimuli. Chemical sensitivity is apparently related to CSSs.

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